The below situation happened in the Columbia, SC area.
In early December, I was hit in the side while going through an intersection by a driver who ran a stop sign, rendering my vehicle damaged and in need of a tow. I was able to move my car safely out of traffic and onto a very lightly trafficked side street. It was not blocking the flow of traffic.
The responding officer asked if I had called a tow company, and when I said no he asked who I wanted to tow my car. I told him I didn't have anyone in mind so he called a local tow company.
Upon arrival, the operator hooked the cable up under the front of my car and I recorded him pulling it up onto the flat bed, thereby splitting my aftermarket bumper cover nearly in half. I told him before he broke the cover that we didn't have to damage the bumper but he stated, on video, "it doesn't matter, the insurance company will pay for all damage anyway."
When I called the accident in, and reported the damage, the insurance company said they won't pay for the damage to the bumper because it was caused by a third party.
The tow company said they won't pay for it because of several reasons, all of which are not really accurate or relevant to the fact of their operators negligence.
They stated that they were asked by local law enforcement to move an inoperable vehicle (I could easily drive it short distances) and that the vehicle was blocking traffic (it wasn't) they also stated that the standard tow hook mounting points are not intended to be used to pull a vehicle that is immovable (also not true) and lastly that since I had installed an aftermarket bumper cover that they weren't liable for damage to aftermarket components.
I have had several quotes around the $800 mark to repair and repaint the $1200 bumper cover which had to be ordered from Japan.
What are my options at this point? I am having a hard time locating any rules, regulations, laws etc. regarding this type of situation.
In early December, I was hit in the side while going through an intersection by a driver who ran a stop sign, rendering my vehicle damaged and in need of a tow. I was able to move my car safely out of traffic and onto a very lightly trafficked side street. It was not blocking the flow of traffic.
The responding officer asked if I had called a tow company, and when I said no he asked who I wanted to tow my car. I told him I didn't have anyone in mind so he called a local tow company.
Upon arrival, the operator hooked the cable up under the front of my car and I recorded him pulling it up onto the flat bed, thereby splitting my aftermarket bumper cover nearly in half. I told him before he broke the cover that we didn't have to damage the bumper but he stated, on video, "it doesn't matter, the insurance company will pay for all damage anyway."
When I called the accident in, and reported the damage, the insurance company said they won't pay for the damage to the bumper because it was caused by a third party.
The tow company said they won't pay for it because of several reasons, all of which are not really accurate or relevant to the fact of their operators negligence.
They stated that they were asked by local law enforcement to move an inoperable vehicle (I could easily drive it short distances) and that the vehicle was blocking traffic (it wasn't) they also stated that the standard tow hook mounting points are not intended to be used to pull a vehicle that is immovable (also not true) and lastly that since I had installed an aftermarket bumper cover that they weren't liable for damage to aftermarket components.
I have had several quotes around the $800 mark to repair and repaint the $1200 bumper cover which had to be ordered from Japan.
What are my options at this point? I am having a hard time locating any rules, regulations, laws etc. regarding this type of situation.
Vehicle Damage: Car Was in an Accident, Was Towed and Damaged While Being Loaded, on Video
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